Etihad boss Manuel Pellegrini might not want to talk about achieving a seemingly impossible clean sweep at home and abroad but his players are clearly right up for the challenge.

None more so than teenage striker Iheanacho, whose super hat-trick was the last thing under-pressure Villa boss Remi Garde needed.

The Nigerian ace was continuing his impressive streak in front of goal this term by taking his tally to eight in 18 games – and only five starts.

And his goals today were more than enough to kill off Premier League basement boys Aston Villa and fire City into the last 16 of the FA Cup.

All of which means Pellegrini’s troops are still very much in the hunt to win everything going this season.

Only three points behind league leaders Leicester, they are also in the Champions League knockout stage as well as next month’s Capital One Cup Final.

Now, of course, nobody is saying they will create history and bag all four trophies.

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Sunday, 10th January 2016

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“I’m still hoping and expecting to sign at least one attacking player in the window”

Remi Garde

But, rest assured, City are in the mood to give it a real crack.

Pellegrini was full of praise for Iheanacho and said the African’s rapid rise justifies the decision not to replace departed Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic last summer.

The City boss said: “I’ve seen him working every day so I know what he could do in this team.

“I got criticised for not replacing those two players but I knew we had Kelechi. I wasn’t thinking about saving money but that we have a young player who gives us an option.

“To score a hat-trick is not easy but what really impresses me is how he is improving and working. He can play as a striker on his own and he scores goals.

“We have a player who deserves a place in our squad. I am very happy but, remember, this is only one game.”

City have a league trip to Sunderland in midweek but, aside from Sergio Aguero and David Silva being on the bench today, this was still a mighty strong side.

The same applied to Garde’s hosts. Yes, Premier League survival is the priority yet the Frenchman went for his best XI too.

That was understandable given the crisis-torn Midlands club were unbeaten in five coming into the clash, a sequence that had began last month with a Third-Round date at Wycombe.

Unfortunately, the Villa faithful did not share Garde’s enthusiasm as the stadium was barely half full.

Villa may be in the middle of their best run of form for many months but maybe the faithful were just being realistic about the fact that seven-times cup winners Villa would be no match for a City side 33 points ahead of them in the table.

And those fears were proved right inside three minutes.

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NO CHANCE: Villa couldn't break City down

Villa had not conceded in three outings but that new-found resilience crumbled as they failed to deal with old-boy Fabian Delph’s corner.

Bacary Sagna flicked on at the near post, Fernando had a header blocked on the line and there was Iheanacho to pounce on the rebound.

If that was the worst possible start for Villa, the situation nosedived further in the 24th minute.

Raheem Sterling burst into the box before being sent flying by Leandro Bacuna.

Referee Mike Jones did not hesitate in pointing to the spot and Iheanacho doubled his tally – and his team’s lead.

That was game over there and then but not that Bacuna was prepared to give up the fight – quite literally.

Just minutes after hacking down Sterling, the pair clashed off the ball and were both booked.

Remarkably, Bacuna immediately took out Sterling again with an ugly late tackle from behind and that should have been the end of his involvement in proceedings but Jones bottled producing a second yellow with more than an hour left on the clock.

Even with a full quota, there was no stopping City after the break.

Well, not when Villa midfielder Idrissa Gana decided to play a 40- yard back pass in the 74th minute without looking.

It was intercepted by livewire Iheanacho, who coolly rolled in his third.

There was still time for City’s other star of the afternoon, Sterling, to get his name on the scoresheet by bundling in from close range.

Villa boss Garde said: “We were not threatening enough in the final third and I’m still hoping and expecting to sign at least one attacking player in the window.

“But if that doesn’t happen I’ll continue to work with the players here. And yes, I’ll be here for the season.”